Jones-Drew breaks record as Jaguars sweep Colts

By MARK LONG, AP Sports Writer
| 3:48 p.m.Jan. 1, 2012

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver waves to the crowd after being honored at halftime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
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Jacksonville Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver waves to the crowd after being honored at halftime during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
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FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2011, file photo, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to throw in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Stanford, Calif. With a 19-13 loss in an NFL football game to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, the Indianapolis Colts have locked up the top pick in April's NFL draft, setting the stage to select Luck. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)— AP

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FILE - In this Nov. 26, 2011, file photo, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck (12) looks to throw in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Stanford, Calif. With a 19-13 loss in an NFL football game to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, the Indianapolis Colts have locked up the top pick in April's NFL draft, setting the stage to select Luck. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
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Jacksonville Jaguars running back DuJuan Harris (40) is stopped after a short run by Indianapolis Colts free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)— AP

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Jacksonville Jaguars running back DuJuan Harris (40) is stopped after a short run by Indianapolis Colts free safety Antoine Bethea (41) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Indianapolis Colts' Joe Lefeged (35) is stopped by Jacksonville Jaguars' Montell Owens (24) and Kassim Osgood (81) on a kickoff return during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)— AP

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Indianapolis Colts' Joe Lefeged (35) is stopped by Jacksonville Jaguars' Montell Owens (24) and Kassim Osgood (81) on a kickoff return during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Jacksonville Jaguars' new owner Shahid Khan gives the thumbs up to fans as he walks along the field prior to an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)— AP

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Jacksonville Jaguars' new owner Shahid Khan gives the thumbs up to fans as he walks along the field prior to an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Jacksonville Jaguars' Chastin West, center, spins around Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kevin Thomas (21) and defensive back Joe Lefeged (35) after a reception to score on a 23-yard pass play during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)— AP

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Jacksonville Jaguars' Chastin West, center, spins around Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kevin Thomas (21) and defensive back Joe Lefeged (35) after a reception to score on a 23-yard pass play during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. 
Maurice Jones-Drew broke the team's single-season rushing record. Wayne Weaver got a victory in his finale as owner. And the Jacksonville Jaguars swept AFC South rival Indianapolis for the first time.

It was an ideal ending to an otherwise miserable season.

Jones-Drew ran for a season-high 169 yards, clinched the NFL rushing title and led the Jaguars to a 19-13 victory Sunday.

"It was kind of the perfect storm," guard Uche Nwaneri said. "Those are things we paid attention to, those are things we used to motivate us this week."

The Jaguars (5-11) gave Weaver the game ball afterward, a sign of appreciation for his 18 years in charge.

"It was special," Weaver said. "A little overwhelming, but it was special. It was kind of emotional at times to realize that this really is it. There's no turning back now."

The Colts may have been the big winners, though. Indy would have dropped to the No. 2 spot in April's NFL draft with a victory in Jacksonville. Instead, owner Jim Irsay will have the choice to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck to join four-time MVP Peyton Manning.

Manning was on the sideline all season after neck surgery. On Sunday, he had a front-row spot for the Jones-Drew Show.

Jones-Drew started the day with a comfortable lead in the rushing race. And when Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy and Houston's Arian Foster were inactive, it pretty much locked up the rushing title for Jacksonville's stocky star.

But Jones-Drew wanted more. He talked earlier in the week about how special it would be to break Taylor's franchise mark of 1,572 yards set in 2003.

He did it in style, taking a third-quarter handoff around the left side, breaking a tackle near the line of scrimmage and picking up 56 yards. It was his longest run in more than two years.

Teammates patted him on the helmet and shoulder pads. Two plays later, fans gave him a standing ovation as his achievement was announced over the public address system.

"As long as Mo stays healthy, he'll break every single record I ever set," Taylor said in a text message to The Associated Press. "He's a special talent with great work habits and deserves to be rewarded as such."

Jones-Drew also sealed the victory by picking up two first downs in the closing minutes, sending many of the 60,000 on hand to the exits on New Year's Day.

He finished the season with 1,606 yards on the ground and 1,980 yards from scrimmage - the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the NFL's worst offense.

"It's easy to take all of the credit, but those guys did a heck of a job blocking two or three guys, running down the field to get extra blocks and making it easier on me," Jones-Drew said.

The biggest applause of the day was for the Weavers. Wayne and his wife, Delores, were recognized at halftime. Wayne Weaver almost singlehandedly brought the team to Jacksonville in 1993. After 352 games and six playoff appearances, he is walking away from an exclusive club.

Weaver sold the team to Illinois businessman Shahid Khan last month for $770 million.

The team honored Weaver and his wife with a video montage, gold-plated helmets and a spot in the Pride of the Jaguars, the team's Hall of Fame. They joined left tackle Tony Boselli as the only ones in the Pride.

Khan officially takes over Wednesday. His biggest task is hiring a new coach.

Jacksonville's assistants were told they had until Friday to get their things out of the building. It's unclear whether any of them will return.

Nonetheless, interim coach Mel Tucker was upbeat following his second win in five games. He asked players to take a lap around the stadium following the win and thank fans.

Fittingly, Jones-Drew led the parade.

"We just wanted to tell them thank you for sticking with us throughout this tough season," Jones-Drew said.

Notes: Colts TE Justin Snow (concussion) and CB Chris Rucker (back) were injured during the game. .... Jones-Drew is the first player in franchise history to lead the NFL rushing. Taylor never finished better than sixth. ... Jaguars LB Paul Posluszny (shoulder) left the game and did not return. ... Jaguars coaches, none of them under contract beyond this season, have until Friday to clean out their stuff.